Mal Bien Espadin - Ramos is made by Victor and his son Emanuel. They are the 3rd and 4th generations of the Ramos family.
About this destilado de agave
Mal Bien Espadin – Ramos is made by Victor and his son Emanuel. They are the 3rd and 4th generations of the Ramos family to produce mezcal in the Miahuatlán District of Oaxaca, an area famous for its abundance and diversity of A. karwinskii sub-species (madrecuixe, tobaxiche, etc.). The community of Mengoli de Morelos where they live and work has a population of just under 200 people. They are related to the neighboring Cortes family via Victor’s wife (Emanuel’s mother), Cleotilde, whose sister Cesilia is married to Felipe.
The maguey Espadin (Agave angustifolia) used in this mezcal are cooked for 6 days in an underground pit oven with encino, guamuche, and mesquite. Once cooked, the agave rest 5-7 days before being mashed by ox drawn tahona. They’re fermented with open air yeasts for 3-8 days before being double distilled in a copper refrescadera still.
Mal Bien
Since 2016, the Mal Bien team has been traveling Mexico, driving off the map and into mountains filled with treacherous roads, police officers of questionable moral character, feral dogs, indigenous languages, narcos, ancient relics, machete wielding protestors, insect based meals, mudslides, blockades, corrupt politicians, and many of the world’s kindest, funniest, most brilliant people. In addition to some hard to believe stories, they’ve connected with a wide variety of traditional producers, whose mezcal is now bottled and exported under the Mal Bien name.
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razorbackmike
155 reviewsthe ramos have done it again!this is a fine espadin.a notch above most.the nose is deep and rich with minerals and soil.some lovely light spice that i cant quite describe.the palate is full and rich with mineral,spun sugar and some slight citrus.silky from start to finish.just right on the smoke and heat.cant find a weak link in this mezcal.i agree with jdb.way too many half-assed,overpriced, overhyped mezcals out there.usually i trust certain names and the ramos are up there on the list.if this bottle was twice the price it would still rate very high.this is a steal!
the ramos have done it again!this is a fine espadin.a notch above most.the nose is deep and rich with minerals and soil.some lovely light spice that i cant quite describe.the palate is full and rich with mineral,spun sugar and some slight citrus.silky from start to finish.just right on the smoke and heat.cant find a weak link in this mezcal.i agree with jdb.way too many half-assed,overpriced, overhyped mezcals out there.usually i trust certain names and the ramos are up there on the list.if this
JDB
165 reviews48% abv, Batch 0722ER
Picked up a bottle at Ramirez Liquor in LA. And what a great mezcal for a great price. $50! This espadin is both a high quality sipper and makes great cocktails. As mezcal’s popularity has risen, too many 40% abv mezcals have entered the market that are of inferior quality, and even some that range up to 42-43% are pretty mediocre. I have been getting a lot of bitterness in these espadins as well, which isn’t terrible, but then they have too much smoke and a watery mouthfeel. This batch from the Victor and Emanuel Ramos is such a delight.
Nose: Sweet bakery, pan dulce, limestone, musty cave
Palate: citrus, lime peel, saltwater taffy, coriander, perfect black pepper heat, fruit syrup, tart finish. Very well balanced, and well made. I gave an extra half star for the value, but it may be a 4 and a half star on its own. If you have been looking for a solid espadin for your bar or collection, grab one of these bottles while they are still around.
48% abv, Batch 0722ER
Picked up a bottle at Ramirez Liquor in LA. And what a great mezcal for a great price. $50! This espadin is both a high quality sipper and makes great cocktails. As mezcal’s popularity has risen, too many 40% abv mezcals have entered the market that are of inferior quality, and even some that range up to 42-43% are pretty mediocre. I have been getting a lot of bitterness in these espadins as well, which isn’t terrible, but then they have too much smoke and